Vertebral Column & Thoracic Cage

Question 1

Vertebral column

Answer 1

Extends from skull to pelvis, and forms the body’s major axial support. Surrounds and protects the spinal cord. Consists of 24 vertebrae and two fused bones, the sacrum and coccyx.

Question 2

What are the different types of vertebrae?

Answer 2

Cervical: 7 bones of the neck
Thoracic: 12 bones
Lumbar: the 5 bones supporting the lower back
Sacral curvature: sacrum, 5 fused vertebrae
Coccyx: 4 fused vertebrae

Question 3

Differentiate between vertebrae, vertebral column, and spinal cord.

Answer 3

The vertebral column surrounds and protects the spinal cord, and consists of 24 single bones, called vertebrae.

Question 4

Intervertebral discs

Answer 4

Pads of fibrocartilage that separate the vertebrae, as well as cushion the vertebrae and absorbs shock.

Question 5

Two major regions of the intervertebral discs

Answer 5

Nucleus pulposus: central gelatinous region that behaves like a rubber ball
Annulus fibrosis: outer ring of encircling collagen fibers that stabilizes the disc and contains the nucleus pulposus

Question 6

Normal spinal curvatures: primary

Answer 6

Primary curvatures: thoracic (convex) and sacral (convex) curvatures; considered primary because they are present and well developed at birth

Question 7

Normal spinal curvatures: secondary

Answer 7

Secondary curvatures: cervical (concave) and lumbar (concave); formed later

Question 8

Abnormal spinal curvatures

Answer 8

Scoliosis: lateral deformity
Kyphosis: hunched back
Lordosis: sway back; exaggerated curve in lumbar region

Question 9

Identify the structural features of a typical vertebra.

Answer 9

pg. 134, Figure 9.15

Question 10

What are the defining characteristics of cervical vertebrae?

Answer 10

Smallest and lightest vertebrae.
Vertebral foramen is triangular.
Spinous process is short and often bifurcated (divided into two branches).

Question 11

Atlas (C1)

Answer 11

No body.
No spinous process.
Lateral processes contain large concave depressions on their superior surfaces that receive the occipital condyles of the skull (enables you to nod yes).

Question 12

Axis (C2)

Answer 12

Contains large vertical process, the dens, that serves as the pivot point.

Question 13

C7

Answer 13

Vertebral prominens (spinal process is visible through the skin at the base of the neck).

Question 14

What are the characteristics of the thoracic vertebrae?

Answer 14

Larger body, somewhat heart shaped.
Costal facets (articulating surfaces) on each side of the body, that articulate with the heads of the corresponding ribs.
Vertebral foramen is round/oval.
Spinous process is long, with a sharp downward hook.

Question 15

What are the characteristics of lumbar vertebrae?

Answer 15

Large, blocklike bodies.

Short, thick, hatchet-shaped spinous processes extending directly backward.

Question 16

Sacrum

Answer 16

Composite bone formed from the fusion of five vertebrae.

Question 17

What are the features of the sacrum?

Answer 17

Superior articular processes on first sacral vertebra.
Median sacral crest: remnant of the spinous processes of the fused vertebrae
Alae: winglike structure, formed by fusion of the transverse processes, articulate laterally with the hip bones
Sacral foramina: located at either end of the transverse ridges, allow blood vessels and nerves to pass
Sacral canal: continuation of the vertebral canal
Sacral hiatus: large opening near the coccyx where the sacral canal ends
Sacral promontory: anterior border of the body of S1

Question 18

Coccyx

Answer 18

4 fused vertebrae.
Tailbone.
Attached to the sacrum by ligaments.

Question 19

Thoracic cage

Answer 19

Bony thorax; composed of the sternum, ribs, thoracic vertebrae, and costal cartilages.

Question 20

Sternum

Answer 20

Breastbone; typical flat bone that is the result of the fusion of the manubrium, body, and xiphoid process. Attached to the first seven pairs of ribs.

Question 21

Manubrium

Answer 21

Superiormost, looks like knot of tie.

Question 22

Body (sternum)

Answer 22

Forms the bulk of the sternum.

Question 23

Xiphoid process

Answer 23

Constructs the inferior end of the sternum and lies at the level of the fifth intercostal space.

Question 24

What are the bony landmarks of the sternum?

Answer 24

Jugular notch (concave upper border of the manubrium)
Sternal angle 
Xiphisternal joint (the point where the sternal body and xiphoid process fuse)

Question 25

Ribs

Answer 25

12 pairs of ribs, form the walls of the thoracic cage. All ribs articulate posteriorly with vertebral column via their heads and tubercles.

Question 26

True/vertebrosternal ribs

Answer 26

First seven pairs of ribs; attach directly to the sternum by their own costal cartilages.

Question 27

False/vertebrochondral ribs

Answer 27

Last 5 pairs of ribs; attach indirectly to the sternum or lack a sternal attachment entirely.

Question 28

Ribs 8-10

Answer 28

Indirect cartilage attachments to the sternum via the costal cartilage of rib 7.

Question 29

Floating/vertebral ribs

Answer 29

Last two pairs of ribs; no sternal attachment.